Have 2:2, will Access course increase my chances?

**swlondon** · 22-01-2009, 07:45 PM

Hello,

I have a 2:2 BSc, but not in a health/life science subject. I also have poor A-levels, all passes though.

Aside form St. George's and Notts, can anyone tell me who may consider me for their medicine courses if I do an Access course and whether it will be on their undergrad or grad course if they do decide to take me.

King's say they will consider me if I also do an MSc and get merit in it. But I didn't ask them about Access courses and whether getting onto one negates the need to do an MSc.

Cambridge say I will need to retake A-levels and get an MSc (distinction I think they said) for them to consider me.

But I would like to know whether doing an Access course will help me to be considered by anyone else.

Hope someone can help. I read the other thread on someone who had a 2:2 but they also had a PhD, and so I'm not quite in the same boat as them.

Thanks!
swlondon

**giella** · 23-01-2009, 07:33 AM

You're not exactly offering them much are you. Doing an access course won't really help, and the access courses won't be inclined to accept you either, as you have a much reduced chance of success.
Your academic record is poor, as you say, so you need to boost that record with something appropriate, which the universities have already given you some advice for. I don't know what your first degree was in though, so the advice I can give is limited.
It's important for you to understand that getting a merit [and you should probably aim for a distinction really] will not guarantee you that place in medical school. Take this example: a nurse with a 2.2 but 10 years experience in running a ward is going to look a whole lot more attractive than someone with a 2.1 in whatever who thinks they want to do medicine. They're able to offer something the 2.1 person isn't and they're in a competitive position. Can you offer anything that the 2.1 candidate doesn't?
Unless you can climb over the heads of everyone else and get yourself noticed, then you're wasting your time and theirs. From your post, you don't seem to be offering much at all. They can take their pick remember, and they're in a position to take the best players and bench the others indefinitely. Be a player, not a reserve. I'm hoping I don't have to drag the metaphor out any further.

**swlondon** · 23-01-2009, 07:56 AM

cheers for the insight....and encouragement.

**giella** · 23-01-2009, 02:02 PM

Get plenty of experience, show your determination and show them that you're not just a 2.2.

**Clarkey** · 23-01-2009, 06:17 PM

I know people with an access course and a 2:2 who gained entry to medical school. They had much much more than that, but I don't see what the big deal with doing an access course is, if you are eligable which you should be as your degree isn't in a science/healthcare background, then go for it.

Of course the best thing to do is get in touch with the colleges that run access courses and see what they say.

Good luck